Business Stakes
- Present at EC Hockey 2013 in Belgium
- Reach coaches and players at the highest level
- Focus on hockey because of access to players at all levels, from amateur to Olympic silver medalists
- Potential to expand to other team sports
Project at a Glance
×
Challenge
- Instant team switching
- Waterproof electronics
- Visible in daylight
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⚡
Constraints
- No budget, only time
- EC Hockey 2013 deadline
- 12+ vests per set
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Approach
- Rapid prototyping
- Material research
- User testing with teams
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Impact
- MVP manufactured
- Sport Innovation Award runner-up
- EC Hockey 2013 presentation
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The Challenge
Together with hockey coach Stan Huijsmans and Spinnov, we started Smart Teams from our office on Strijp-S in Eindhoven. We had no money, only time and ambition.
The idea was simple: What if team members could instantly switch teams with the push of a button by the coach, forcing each player to adjust to the new situation and actively change strategy immediately?
Problem
- When pushing the button on the remote, the lights should immediately change
- Integration of electronics into a garment that was nice to wear during high activity
- Light enough and not obstructing the wearer's movement
- Everything should be waterproof against weather and sweat
- All garments should be washable and electronics easy to attach and detach
- LEDs should be visible in daylight
- Battery life and easy charging
- A set needed to contain at least 12 vests
- Production cost should be kept low enough to achieve a good business case
The Stakes & Constraints
Technical Constraints
- No budget - bootstrap development only
- Tight deadline: EC Hockey 2013
- Must work reliably in outdoor conditions
- Minimum 12 vests per set for full team training
- Easy to scale up production
Phase 1: Design & Rapid Prototyping
Approach
Starting with concept sketches, we iterated through multiple prototypes to find the right balance between visibility, comfort, and durability.
- Design of the garments
- Conducting material research
- Sourcing and supplier contact
- Rapid prototyping (sewing, laser-cutting)
Prototype integrated LED
Electronics can be attached and detached with velcrow
Concept sketch exploring vest design options
Result
Working prototypes that could be tested with real hockey players, validating the concept before manufacturing.
Phase 2: Manufacturing & User Testing
With the design validated through user testing, we moved to manufacturing the complete MVP set. This involved sourcing materials, setting up production processes, and creating the first batch of 12+ vests for the EC Hockey 2013 deadline.
My Role
- Design of the garments
- Conducting material research
- Sourcing and supplier contact
- Rapid prototyping (sewing, laser-cutting)
- Manufacturing of the MVP product
- Creating marketing materials
- Conducting user tests
Smart Teams used during actual training sessions
MVP vest with electronics
Result
Successfully manufactured MVP ready for presentation at EC Hockey 2013 in Belgium. We were able to produce sets in small quantities if we would get orders during the event.
Impact
1
MVP Manufactured
2nd
Sport Innovation Award
12+
Vests Produced
Delivered
- Successfully created and manufactured the MVP for Smart Teams
- Runner-up of the Dutch Sport Innovation Awards 2013
- Showed the potential of simple electronics in strategic training
- Presented at EC Hockey 2013 in Belgium to top coaches and players
Smart Teams had a positive reception at the EC Hockey and was the runner-up in the Dutch Sport Innovation Awards of 2013. After a year, the team decided to discontinue the startup and focus on other more promising projects.